How K-Pop Dance Helped Me Heal from Burnout
A Therapist’s Journey into Somatic Joy (And Why I Embrace Being Called “Somatic Miss Rachel”)
Two years ago, I hit a wall.
I was tired—not just physically, but spiritually, creatively, and emotionally. As a therapist, I knew the signs of burnout. I could name them in my sleep. But naming them didn’t mean I knew how to feel again.
What I didn’t expect was that my healing would start with a K-pop playlist and a dance studio full of people half my age.
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I Didn’t Start Dancing to Be “Good at It”—I Started Because I Was Numb
I’d always wanted to learn how to dance—hip-hop, K-pop, anything with rhythm and joy. But I’d convinced myself I was too late. Too old. Too busy. Too tired.
Until one day I wasn’t.
I signed up for a beginner K-pop dance class on a whim. And for the first time in a long time, I felt alive.
Not because I nailed the choreography (spoiler: I absolutely didn’t). But because I was moving with music, in community, without needing to explain why I felt stuck or sad or small.
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When Movement Becomes Medicine
Dance gave me something I couldn’t access through talk therapy alone:
Embodiment. Play. Regulation. Release.
As I continued dancing, I started integrating what I was learning into my therapeutic work: somatic practices, nervous system support, creative emotional expression—not just through journaling, but through movement.
That’s how my recent TikTok was born:
A one-minute K-pop inspired somatic release with gentle shaking, a playful beat, and zero pressure to perform.
People loved it.
One person commented, “You’re like Somatic Miss Rachel!”
And honestly? I’m claiming it.
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What’s “Somatic Miss Rachel” All About?
It’s movement that’s:
Simple: No choreography skills required
Safe: Designed to help you regulate, not “push through”
Silly (in the best way): Because healing doesn’t have to be serious
Somatic: Based on nervous system-informed practices
Soulful: Inviting your inner child and spiritual self to the party
You don’t need fancy leggings, a mirror wall, or even rhythm (though it helps). You just need to be willing to feel again.
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Who This Is For
If you’ve ever felt:
Emotionally disconnected or creatively blocked
Like your body is stiff, tired, or frozen
Overwhelmed by burnout but unsure how to reset
Longing for play, joy, or movement—but feeling awkward or late to the game
Then I see you.
This space is for you.
And yes—your kids, your inner child, or your friends can join in too.
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How to Try It Yourself
Want a taste? Try this:
1. Put on a favorite upbeat song (K-pop, gospel, Beyoncé—your call).
2. Set a 60-second timer.
3. Shake your arms, shoulders, and legs like you’re resetting your system.
4. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.
You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re just doing it your way.
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Final Thoughts from Somatic Miss Rachel
I’m still a therapist.
But I’m also a woman who’s healing, dancing, and giving myself permission to be ridiculous—and regulated.
If you’re curious about integrating movement and somatic support into your mental health journey, I offer online therapy for women seeking creative, body-based healing.
Why Loving Your Job Won’t Save You from Burnout: Creative Recovery Tools for Women Who Give Too Much
When Passion Isn’t Enough
I remember a group of women who worked in a Veterans Affairs office—brilliant, compassionate, mission-driven. And deeply, deeply burnt out.
They didn’t hate their jobs.
They hated feeling like their pain didn’t matter.
Their bodies were shutting down. Their patience was gone. Their voices were rising—and not because they were dramatic, but because they were done being invisible.
This blog is for them.
And for you, if you’ve been running on fumes, believing passion should be enough to keep you going.
Hustle Culture Lied to Us
We were told: Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.
Lies.
Doing what you love without rest, regulation, or support is a fast-track to losing yourself.
You can love your clients, your cause, your calling—and still be hanging on by a thread. That’s not a lack of gratitude. That’s a sign your nervous system is screaming for help.
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Ambition Without Regulation = Exhaustion in a Cute Outfit
Let’s talk symptoms:
Chronic fatigue even after sleep
Snapping at small things
Feeling numb or weepy for “no reason”
Questioning your purpose but too tired to fix it
Constantly trying to “push through”
These aren’t just mindset issues.
They’re signs your body has hit a wall.
That’s where somatic support comes in.
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What Actually Helps (Hint: Not Just Another Self-Care List)
Here’s what healing really looks like:
Somatic exercises that regulate your nervous system
Creative expression to safely process emotion
Faith-based reflection to ground you in God’s truth
Spiritual rhythms (not productivity disguised as prayer)
Safe community that honors your whole story
You don’t just need a better to-do list.
You need a new rhythm.
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You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Burnout thrives in silence. Healing grows in connection.
If you’re ready to stop performing and start receiving care—for your body, mind, and spirit—I offer online therapy for high-achieving women who are tired of being tired.
Learn more about my therapy approach here:
Final Word
Being called doesn’t mean being constantly drained.
Healing isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.
Start small.
Let your body soften.
Let God meet you where you are.
Because burnout isn’t the end.
It’s the beginning of something gentler, deeper, and real.